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History Harvest Interview with Ruben Valencia
An account given by Ruben Valencia during the April 29, 2018 History Harvest. Ruben discusses the object he brought to the Harvest, its origins, and its significance to him.
"Selecciones del Reader's Digest," Reader's Digest Articles.
Published monthly, these two reader’s digest magazines belonged to Adeline Yllanes grandmother when she lived in Peru. “Selecciones del Reader’s Digest” (blue) Tomo V, No. 3, was published May 1943 by The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. in…
Eucharistic Minister's Necklace
The Necklace and the first picture in the frame go together. The necklace resembles one that Eucharistic ministers wear while distributing the sacrament of the Eucharist (also known as Communion) to the congregation during Mass. When asked about the…
Rosary Beads
Before getting into the significance of Rosary beads, it is crucial to acknowledge the rich Latino history that has grown all over the world and has made great impacts in New Britain, Connecticut. Latino culture has been blended into the United…
Tags: Catholicism, Larry Alicea, Rosaries
China poblana Outfit
This outfit is a china poblana dress, used as a costume for traditional dances in Mexico. The blouse is white with floral and bird embroidery around the yoke and short sleeves. The skirt contains sequins and beadwork of a bird motif on the front. A…
Keychain
Natividad Rosa uses her souvenir to hold her keys. She received this keyholder from one of her friends that came back from a trip to Dominican Republic. This keyholder has painted figurines that depicted a guitar, maracas, Guira, accordion,…
Güirro
The Güirro, is a musical instrument that originated from Puerto Rico. It is made from a fruit called the Iguerra. The instrument is a notched hollowed-out gourd, and was traditionally used by the Taino. The Güirro is used during many different…
El Flamboyán, or "Flame Tree"
This beautiful canvas of “El flamboyan” was brought in by a New Britain local and although it is not the native tree, it’s one of the most beautiful and recognizable trees across the island. This beautiful and umbrella like tree originated in…
Tags: Art, Awilda Saavedra Reasco, Flowers, Jíbaro, Paintings, Puerto Rico, Trees
Framed Jesus Christ Calendar Print
This item is a framed calendar print depicting Jesus Christ. Said print originated as part of a calendar manufactured in Añasco, Puerto Rico. Such religious iconography remained a common household item in many Puerto Rican Catholic items. Although…
Hanging Atabey Decoration
This item brought in by Gladys Moreno Fuentes, an employee at Central Connecticut State University, is a hanging decoration depicting the Fertility goddess of the Tainos people Atabey out of clay on a wooden back. It measures at about 3.5” by 5.25”…
African Face Mask
Contributor Carlos Soler brought in an African Face Mask for the Harvest, which he purchased in a wood carving village in Ghana when he was studying abroad about twenty years ago. When he saw the mask, he knew he had to have it. He feels strongly…
Tags: Africa, Afro-Latinos, Art, Carlos Soler, Ghana, Masks, Sculptures, Wood Carvings
Traditional Cups and Bowls
The items seen here are traditional eating and drinking utensils first used by the Tainos people indigenous to Puerto Rico. Brought in by Gladys Moreno Fuentes, an employee of Central Connecticut State University, the set includes two bowls or plates…
Taino Sun Cemi Necklace
Description:This object is a necklace, and originally the decoration on the front would have been carved into a rock or painted or drawn on a cave wall. In recent history, the Cemi symbols have been used as decorative pieces to represent the…
Tags: Art, Caribbean, Jewelry, Necklaces, Puerto Rico, Taino, Taino Art, Taino Culture, Taino Indians
Traditional Puerto Rican Dita
At first glance, the Traditional Puerto Rican Dita is merely a bowl made from the dried-out shell of a coconut, yet the symbolism and memories it contains make it much more significant. As with the rest of the Americas, indigenous inhabitants…
Tags: Dita, Indigenous, Luz Maria Valles, New Britain, Puerto Ricans, Taino, Taino Indians